A piece of Ipe wood was won as a door prize at the September meeting. What is Ipe wood? See below.

Ipe wood is known by many names: Ipe Brazil, Amapa, Cortex, Guayacan, Flor Amarillo, Greenheart, Madera Negra, Tahuari,Lapacho Negro. It has a number of trade names: Ironwood, Pau Lope, Brazilian Walnut... these are commercial names given to Ipe lumber by large Brazilian exporters.

Some of these trade names for Ipe lumber, include not only Ipe wood, but also a number of other similar species like Cumaru (Dipterix Odorata) and Jarrah (Eucalyptus Marginata). "Ipe lumber" can be used in somewhat of a more generic fashion, rather then a singular biological description. Ipe wood is often clustered with other woods that share similar characteristics.

Ipe wood (or Bois Ipe for our French clientele) typically grows in tropical South-Central America, in a wide variety of sites, in marshes and riverbanks as well as ridge tops. Ipe trees may grow to 140 feet in height with trunk diameter of up to 6'. It is one of the tallest trees of the Amazon region.

Ipe Heartwood, is typically reddish brown, sometimes with a greenish tinge, often with lighter or darker striping. Ipe wood comes in good long lengths with limited warp. Sapwood is much lighter white or yellow usually removed at the mill, although small strips along the edge can be present.

Ipe lumber can be somewhat difficult to work with, especially with hand tools. Can have quite a blunting effect on cutting edges. Recommended that you use a reduced cutting angle, keep edges sharp, and always predrill for nails or screws. Have numerous extra drill bits handy. Ipe planks do not bend well, but the wood finishes and sands quite smoothly, with no splintering.